Machine for bending flexible sheet material



May 1l, 1948.

M. M. BALsAM ET'AL 2,441,186

MAHINE FOR BENDING FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL Filed March 19, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l May u, 1948. M. M. BALSAM ErAL 2,441,180

MACHINE FOR BENDING FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL Filed March 19, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TORS BY gew@ f wf M. M. BALSAM ETAL MACHINE FOR BENDINAG FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL Filed March 19, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTUM 4Patented May 11, 1948 UNITED sTAes MACHINE FOR BENDING FLEXIBLE SHEET MAT New York, N. Y.

ERIAL Maurice M. Balsam and Henry M. Balsam, York, N. Y., assignors to M. M. Balsam,

New Inc.,

Application March 19, 1947, Serial No. 735,766

(Cl. (iS- 8) 26 Claims.

Our present invention relates to machines for bending flexible sheet material and more particularly to machines for bending flexible sheet materialV over the corner portions of suit-cases, trunks, boxes and the like.

It is an object of our present invention to provide a machine of the above type which is semiautomatic and can be easily operated without the need vof any special skill or experience. K

-It is another object of our present invention to provide a bending machine for bending leather or similar material which hasa great production capacity and is capable of bending th'e leather with great accuracy.

It is a further object of our present invention to Vproduce a machine of the above type which is very simple in construction and easy to manufacture.

Finally, it is also an object of our present invention to provide a machine of the above type which is easily adjustable to different types of flexible materials.

vWith the above objects in view our present invention mainly -consists of a machine for bending flexible sheet materials over the corner portion of a suit-case or like piece of luggage comprising in combination' a plurality of cooperating'parts, namely: a machine body, a supporting member mounted on this machine body and adapted to support th'e corner portion of the suit-case over which the exlble sheet material has to be bent or folded, a pressure means movably mounted on the machine body so as to be adapted to be moved from inoperative position spaced from the above dened supporting member in inclined direction toward this supporting member until said pressure means is in operative position pressing against the supporting member, and operating means adapted to move the above pressure means in inclined direction from inoperative position into operative position, whenever desired.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of our present invention, the pressure means mentioned above are composed of a pressure member adapted to cooperate with the supporting member and to press against the same so as to bend the flexible sh'eet lmaterial over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by this supporting member and holding means holding the pressure member and being movably attached to the machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to move the pressure member .as explained in the preceding paragraph.

We have found it advisable to provide the supporting member with a at supporting face, preferably with a flat vertical supporting face, and to provide the pressure member with a flat pressure face, preferably a flat vertical pressure face adapted to press against the flat vertical supporting face ofthe supporting member when the pressure member is in operative position. In a machine of this type the holding means holding the pressure member are constructed and arranged so as' to hold the pressure member with its flat, preferably vertical pressure face permanently parallal to the flat, preferably vertical supporting face of the supporting member,

The supporting member Vof a machine of the type proposed by us preferably includes atta-chg ing means resiliently attaching the. supporting member to the machine body. In order to obtain the necessary pressure, the mentioned attaching means preferably include adjustable spring means so as to hold the supporting member resiliently in the required operative position.

The holding means for the pressure member preferably consist of lever means pivoted at one end to the pressure member holding the same and at the other end to the machine body in suchl a manner as to be adapted to beturned from inoperative position with the pressure member spaced from the supporting member toward this supporting member until the pressure member is in operative position, pressing against the supporting member.

We have found it advisable to use as lever means a parallelogram-shaped lever system pivoted at one end to the pressure member holding the same with its vertical pressure face permanently in vertical position and at the other end to the machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned between inoperative and operative position as explained above.

In order to properlyv hold the cornerfportion of the suit-case during bending of the leather sheet over the same, it is advisable to provide the supporting member with a supporting face, combined of a curved supporting face'portion and a flat supporting face portion, and to provide the pressure member with a pressure face combined of a curved pressure face portion and a flat pressure face portion adapted to cooperate with the corresponding supporting face portions of the supporting member as vvill be described farther below in detail.

The novel features which we consider as ch'aracteristic for our invention are set Yforth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objectsV and advantages thereof, will vbe best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in' which:

Fig. 4 is a front view of the machine shown'in' Figs. 1 to 3, with part of the supporting means broken oi, seen in direction df arrow Blof Fig. 1;

The bending machine, according to our'present invention comprises as main elements, a machine body or frame I on which" thers'upporting arrangement I I and the bending arrangement I2 are mounted as will-be described farther below in detail. ,y Y Y v Tho-supporting arrangement V`l=lselufirig for supporting thejcorne'r portion ointheV suitecase over wll'chthe leather sheet'isbent" consists or an ariliI3V resiliently mounted at its bottom end I 4 by means of the transversely extending support i5 toth'e machine; body' I0; andthe supporting member I6 firmly securedto'arm l3-atthe upper end IT thereof. The resilient mounting oi the 4 vertical position, i. e. it will be parallel to the supporting face 29 of the supporting member I6 while the pressure member is in operative position shown in Fig. 1, as well as while it is in inoperative positionshowii i Fig. 2 asf'livel-lv a'sdiiirg movenient of the pressure meinberffrom one of these positions into the other. The two pressure member portions 46 and 48 are permanently secured to t each other bymeans of the screws 5I).

arm-ls' at itsloottoiiiehd I4 to the machine body y larms (fllt 34 are turnableabout the pivot pins $5 and 3S from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 into the operative position shown in Fig. 1 and back, as will be described farther below in detil; 4

The pressure member 4i is,d pivotally attached to the levervmembers 3I! \32, 33 and 34 by means of the screws 42',` 43, 44 and `44' respectively.

Proper spacing of the lever members at their rear ends is obtained by the spacing sleeves 45.

vThe pressure member 4I consists of two mem'- ber portions, namely: the curved pressure'nlember portion 46 provided with the curved pressure 'face' 41 and the dat pressure member portion is provided with the liat vetial re'ssie face 49. It is evident fooi the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 a-id 2 ther oit'ha'tt' c verticalpres'sure yface 49 of the pressure illemb'er 4i will always stty lo We Wish to note that as clearly shown in the drawings, particularly Fig. 4 thereof, the curvatureof the*curvedv supporting face 30 of the supportirigmembe'r IS'is identical with the curvature of the'curved pressure face 4l of the pressure member" portion 45.' Furthermore, We wish also Vtostressthat the flat pressure member portion 48 of the pressure member 4I is provided at its lower edge 5I with a substantially -semi-circular cut-out lia-"Villal also substantially theYV saine eliif'vte) as tioii of the ma; f e ,Iii order"v4 bending effect vl'safble"insrnecasestoproe vide on the inner face of the-a# pressurefrnevmloerportionlli veitl'ealig'ioovesfeil udiotdihrlg. ein'dotted-liues. I

Iii' order tol 'more Ypaftllelog'rain'sfila-p'ed lever system together' withV the pressiie i'l'l'mbe'r 4I from the inoperative positionsliowrl Fig; 2 intoY the operative position Shown Figil, we provvide tlieooeidtlig lever airapgelheutss con; gisting of the four levers 54, 55'-, sli-dhd 51 respete tively. The levers 55 and54 are pivotedjttthir front ends by means .or 4pivot p'in 558 to the lower lever members a2 dhd 33 iid attheir' ieaifonds by means of the pivot pin 59 to the levers' 56' and 5,1; these levers 56 and 51 in turri are'pivoted at their rear ends py' the pivot pid etto the upper lever members' 3l and 34'. pivot 'sleeve 60 surrounding the pivotpii'r ce is extended downward' and provided' with aj screw threaded hole 6I into which the upper screw threaded cudl of rod t2V is screwed This' rod 62 is olie'ratllvely` olilljeeted at' itsv` lower' end with the pedal lever sa. This pedal lever lo tu'rh is plvoted at one end ln well known manner tot iiiaohihej hotly to' and carries at its other end the pedal: '68.' Spring 65 seouredatoue end to the'I p'edar lever 63 and at its other end tothe" bddy It' permanently tends' to move the pedal lever |53A together with the 'pedal d4 upward in direction of arrow Se keeping there'- hy the entire bending drraiigen'ieiit I2 lil inoperativepos'itlou shqwiii Fig. 2'. i A

Qur new bending machine operates as follows: The mdohihels used as set" forth above 'mainly for folding leather d'. leather strips over the ooi-ner portions of'suit casos. suchsit cases as, well known, are usually composed 4of two parts, namely a; suit cas bottn and a suit case top: Each of these partsih tuin cohsistsof a top or bottom wall, and four relatively narrow side walls arranged in dell known manner.

such duit eases are usually p dedalqiig" the edges or two opposite si e Vit' with relatively narrow leather' strips a d lt is the purpose or newbeddihg machin-'e toename folding' of 'these leather strips over the coriiei's ofthse side walls. Before bending the leathervstiii to befolded over the edges'land corhlfsoi particular. side `wall ,ofA the suit case it is-seieur'edtd tlieodge portions' ofthe adjacent; coye'fwall ahdsld'e wall 'so as to project beyond the saine. lifter such preparation the leather strip is ready for bending by our new machine.`

For this purpose the machine is moved into its inoperative position shown in Figure 2. While the machine is in this position, the cornerv portion of the suit case over which the leather strip is to be folded is placed on the supporting member i6 in such a manner that the inner surface of the side Wall over which the strip is to be folded is superimposed upon the flat supporting face 29 of the supporting member and the adjacent edge portions of the cover wall and of the adjacent side wall are superimposed upon the curved supporting face 30 of this member.

After the suit-case is in proper position, the operator steps on pedal 64, turning thereby the bending arrangement 2 together with pressure member 4| from its inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 into its operative position shown in Fig. 1. During such turning the front edge 5l of the pressure member 4I engages the projecting leather sheet .and turns the same slowly downward until it is superimposed upon the outer surface of the side wall over which the leather strip is bent against the same by the flat pressure face 49 of the pressure member M.

After proper bending of the leather sheet, the pedal 64 is released and the bending arrangement l2 automatically returns by action of spring 65 into its inoperative position shown in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in4 other types of bending machines differing from the types described above.

While we have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in bending machines for bending leather sheets over the corners of suitcases and like pieces of luggage, we do not intend to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of our invention. Y

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of our invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specic aspects of this invention and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member mounted on said machine body and adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure means movably mounted on said machine body so as to be adapted to be moved from inoperative position spaced from said supporting member in inclined direction toward this supporting member until said pressure means is in operative position pressing against said supporting member; and operating means adapted to move said pressure means in inclined direction from inoperative position into operative position, whenever desired.

2. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine machine body and adapted'to support said cor'- nerportion of the suit-case; a pressure member adapted to cooperate with said supporting 'member and to press against the. same so as to bend said flexible sheetmaterial over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by said supporting member; holding means holding said pressure member and being movably attached to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be moved from inoperative position with said pressure member spaced from said supporting member in inclined direction toward this supporting member until said pressure memberis in operative position pressing against said supporting member; and operating means adapted to move said holding means together with said pressure member in inclined direction from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

3. A machine for bending flexiblesheet 4material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting face and mounted on said machine body so as .to be adapted to support said. corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted tof'cooperate with said supporting member and to press with said vertical pressure face against said vertical supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said flexible sheet materialvover the corner portion of a suit-case supported by Y said supporting member; holding .means holding said pressure member with its vertical pressure face parallel to said vertical supporting face of Said supporting member, said holding means being movably attached to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be moved from inoperative position with said. pressure member spaced from said supporting member in iinclined direction toward this supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with its vertical pressure face against the vertical supporting face of said supporting member; and operating means adapted to move said holding means together. with said pressure member in inclined direction from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

4. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combinationY a machine body; a supporting member having a at supporting face and mounted on said machinebody so as to be adapted to supportsaid corner por-'- tion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a at pressure face adapted to cooperate with said supporting member and to press with said flat pressure face against said flat supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by said supp-orting member; holding means holdingsaid pressure member with its flat pressure face parallel to said flat supporting face of said supporting 'memben said holding means being movably attached to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be moved from inoperative position with said pressure member spaced from said supporting member in inclined direction toward this supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with its flat pressure face against the atsupporting face of said supporting member; and operating means body; a supporting member mounted on said adapted to move said holding means together Ameans being movably with. said pressure member in inclined direction from. inoperative into operative position, Whenever desired.; Y

5. A. machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like Vcomprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting. vvface and being shaped so as 'to be adapted to support; said corner portion of the suit-case; securing means resiliently securing said supporting member to said machine body; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted. to cooperate with said supporting member and to press with said vertical pressure face against said vertical supporting face Vof said supporting member so as `to bend said exible sheet material over the corner portion of. a suitcase supported by said supporting member; holding means holding said pressure member with its vertical pressure face parallel to said vertical supporting race' of said supporting member, said holding means .being movably attached to said ;machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to .be moved from inoperative position with said pressuremember spaced from said supporting member in inclined direction toward this'supgporting member untilsaid` pressure member is in operative position v,pressing With its vertical pressure face against the vertical supporting face of said supporting member; and operating means 'adapted to move said holding means together with said pressure member in inclined direction from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

6. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting face and being `shaped so as to be adaptedto support said corner portion of the suit-case; a.- holding member movably securing said supporting member to said machine body; adjustable spring means combined with said holding member solas to resiliently hold the same together with said supporting member in the required operative position; `a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate With said supporting- .member and to press with said vertical pressure face against .said vertical supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said exible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case supported .by` said supporting member; holding means holdingsaid pressure member with its vertical pressureface parallel face of said supporting member, said holding attached to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be .moved from inoperative position with said pressure member spaced from said supporting member in inclined direction toward this supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with its vertical pressure face against the vertical supporting face of said supporting member; and operating means adapted to move said holding means together withv said pressure member in inclined direction from'inoperative intooperative position, whenever desired.

x '7.Y A machine for bending flexible sheet material overthe corner portion of a suit-case or the like Acomprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member mounted on said machine body/rand adaptedlto support saidcorner portion Voli the suit-case; a pressure member adapted-to to said vertical supporting t 'cooperate with said supportingmember and t press against the same so as to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suitcase supported by said supporting member; lever means pivoted at one end to said pressure member holding the same and at the other end to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned from inoperative position with said pressure member spaced from said supporting member toward this supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing against said supporting member; and operating means adapted to turn said lever means about its pivoting point together with said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, Whenever desired.

8; A machine for bending iiexible sheet mate` rial over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a 4supporting member having a vertical supporting face and mounted on said machine body so as to beY adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate With said supporting member and to press with said vertical pressure facetagainst said vertical supporting race of said supporting member so as to bend said eXi'ble sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by said supporting member; lever meansv pivoted at one end to said pressure member holding the same with said vertical pressure face permanently in vertical position and at the other end to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned from inoperative position with said vertical pressure face of said pressure member spaced from said vertical supporting face of said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with said vertical pressure face against the vertical pressure face of said supporting member; and operating means combined with said lever means and adapted to turnv the same about its pivoting point together with said pressure memberfrom inoperative into operative position, Whenever desired.

9. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a suppdrtingv member having a at supporting face and mounted on said machine body so as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a flat pres- 'surev face adapted to cooperate with said supportingV member and to press with said at pressure face against said at supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said flexible sheet iriat'erial over the corner portion or" a suit-case supported by said supporting member; lever means pivoted at oneend to said pressuremember holding the'saine with said dat pressure face permanently parallel to said flat supporting face of said supporting 'member and at the other end to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turnedrfrom inoperative position with said flat pressure face of said lpressure meinber spaced from said nat supporting face of said supporting member toward said supporting. member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with said flat pressure face against the at pressure face of saidl supporting memberyand operating means combined with said lever means. and adapted to turn ,the same about rits. pivoting point.; together. With said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

10. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting face and mounted on said machine body so' as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate with said supporting member and to press with said vertical pressure face against said vertical supporting face of said supporting member so a-s to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by said supporting member; a parallelogram-shaped lever system pivoted at one end to said pressure member holding the same with said vertical pressure face permanently in vertical position and at the other end to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned from inoperative position with said vertical pressure face of said pressure member spaced from said vertical supporting face of said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with said vertical pressure face against the vertical pressure face of said supporting member; and operating mean-s combined with said parallelogram-shaped leverV system and adapted to turn the same about its pivoting point together with said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

11. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a flat supporting face and mounted on said machine body so as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a iiat pressure face adapted to cooperate with said supporting member and to press with said flat pressure face against said at supporting face of said supporting member so as tobend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case vsupported by said supporting member; a parallelogram-shaped lever system pivoted at one end to said pressure member holding the same with said flat pressure face permanently parallel to said flat supporting face of said supporting member and at the other end to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned from inoperative position with said flat pressure face of said pressure member spaced from said fiat supporting face of said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with said flat pressure face against the ilat pres-sure face oi said supporting member; and operating means combined with said parallelogram-shaped lever system and adapted to turn the same about its pivoting point together `vvith said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, whenever de-sired. y

12. A machine for bending iiexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination `a machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting face and mounted o-n said machine body so as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate with said supporting member and to press with said vertical pressure face against said vertical supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of coY a suit-case supported by said supporting member; a parallelogram-shaped lever system; rst horizontal pivoting means pivotally attaching said pressure member to said parallelogramshaped lever system at one end thereof with said vertical pressure face of said pressure member permanently in vertical position; second horizontal pivoting means pivotally attaching said parallelogram-shaped lever system at its other end to said machine body in such a manner that said parallelogram-shaped lever system is adapted to be turned about said second horizontal pivoting means from inoperative position with said vertical pressure face of said pressure member spaced from said vertical supporting face of said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with said vertical pressure face against the vertical pressure face of said supporting member; and operating means combined with said parallelogram-shaped lever system and adapted to turn the same about its pivoting point together with said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, Whenever desired.

13. A machine for bending flexible sheet material `over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting face and being shaped so as to be4 said corner portion of the` securing means resiliently securing adapted to support suit-case; said supporting member to said machine body; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate With said supporting member and to press with said vertical pressure face said vertical supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion. of a suit-case supported by said supporting member; lever means pivoted at one end to said pressure member holding the same with said pressure face permanently in vertical position and at the other end to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned tion with said Vertical pressure face of said pressure member spaced from said vertical supporting face of said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with said vertical pressure face against the vertical pressure 'face of said supporting member; and operating meansv combined with said lever means and adapted to turn the same about its pivoting point together with said pressure member from inoperative into operativev position, Whenever desired.

14. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or-v the like comprising in combination a'machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting face and being shaped so as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a holding member resiliently attaching said supporting member to said machine body; adjustable spring means combined with said holding member so as to resiliently hold the same together with said supporting member in the required operative position; a pressure mem-l ber having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate with said supporting member andv to press with said vertical pressure face against said vertical supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by said supporting member; lever means pivoted-at one end to said pressure member holding the' from inoperative posi'-VY same .with Vsaid vertical pressure face permanently in vertical position and .at the other end to said .machine `body in suchga manner as to be adaptedto be jturned from inoperative position with said vertical 'pressure face ci said pressure member spaced from said vertical supporting face of Said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member Vis in operative position pressing with said vertical pressure face against vthe'vertical pressure face of said supporting member; land operating means combined with saidlever means and adapted to turn the .same about' its pivoting point together With 'said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

`15. AV machine for bending ilexible sheet material `over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like Lcomprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a at supportingface and being shaped so as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; securing 'means resiliently attaching said supporting member to said machine body; 'a pressure member having a at pressure face adapted to cooperate with said supporting member and to press with said iiat 'pressure face against said at supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend said ilexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suitcase supported by said supporting member; lever means pivoted at one end :to said pressure member holding the same with said lia-t pressure face Vpermanently parallel to said at supporting Vface of said supporting memberand at the other end to vsaid machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned from inoperative position with said flat pressure 'face of said pressure member spaced from `said flat supporting face of said supporting member 'toward said Supporting member until said :pressure member is in operative position pressingwith said ilat pressure face against the fla-t ,pressure face of said supporting member; and :opera-ting means combined with said lever means 4and adapted to turn the same about its pivoting point together with said pressure member from Vinoperative into 'operative position, Wheneverdesired.

-16. TA machine for bending Yflexible sheet materialover the corner portion of a suit-case or the like "comprisinginfcombination a machine body; a supporting member having a vertical supporting face and Abeing shaped so as to be adapted to support said corner portion ofthe suit-case; a holding member resiliently attaching Vsaid supporting member to said machine body; adjustable spring means combined with said holding member so as te resiliently 'hold the same together With said-supporting member in the required operative position; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate With said supporting member and to lpress with said vertical pressure face aga-inst said vertical supporting face-ofsaid supporting member lsosas to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a -suit-casefsupported by said supporting member; a parallelogram-shap'ed lever system pivote'd at one end to Ysaid pressure member holding the same with said vertical pressure face permanently in vertical jposition and at the other end to said machinebody in such a manner as to be adapted to be turned from inoperative position With said vertical pressure face of 'said pressure member spaeed'fromsaid vertical supporting face of said supporting member toward said supporting member until 'said pressure 'member is in operative position pressing with ysaid vertical' pressure'facey against the vertical pressure face of said sup.- porting member; and operatingmeans combined with `said parallelog-ram-shaped lever system and adapted to turn the same' about its pivoting -point together' with said pressure member from inoperative into operativeposition, vWhenever desired. 17. A machine for bending nexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like Ycomprising in l combination a machine body; a supporting member having a nat supporting face and being shaped-so as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; securing means resiliently attaching said supporting member to said machine body; a pressure member having a at pressure face adapted to cooperate `With' said supporting member and to press with sai-d dat pressure face against said flat supporting face of vsaid supporting Vmember so as tobendjsaid -ilexible sheet material 4over the corner :portion of a :Suit-cases-upported Dyk-said supporting member; a parallelogram-shaped lever system pivoted at one end to said pressure member holding the same with said flat pressure face permanently parallel to said `at supporting face of said supporting'member and at the other end to said'machine body 'in sueha manner as to be radapted to be turned from inoperative .position With-said flat pressureiace of said pressure member spaced from said nat vsupporting vface of said supllorting member toward. said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing Witlsaid flat-pressure Aface against the dat pressure face of said supporting member; and operating means combined with said parallelogram-shaped lever system and adapted to turn the samelabout its pivoting point together with said pressure member .from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

18. A machine forl bending exible'sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination n, machine body; a supporting member having a, vertical supporting -face and being shapedso as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a holding member resiliently attaching -said supporting-member .to said machine body; adjustable spring means combined with said nholding member s0 asto resiliently lhold `the same together Withsaid 4supporting member in the -required operative position; a pressure member having a vertical pressure face adapted to cooperate With said supporting member and to press with said vertical pressure face against said vertical supporting face of said supporting member so as to bend-said 'flexible sheet material over the corner .portion of a su-it..'case supported by said supporting member; a parallelogram-shaped lever system; rst horizon-tal pivoting means pivotally attaching said pressure member to said parallelogram-shaped lever system at one end thereof with said .vertical pressure yface of said pressure member permanently in vertical position; second `horizontal pivoting means Vpivotally attaching said parallelogram-shaped lever system at its other end to said machine body in such a manner that said parallelogram-shaped .lever system is adapted to be turned about said second horizontal pivoting means from inoperative position with said vertical pressure face of said pressure member-spaced from said vertical supporting Vfaceof said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing With said vertical pressure face against the vertical zpressurel l'face 13 of said supporting member; and operating means combined with said parallelogram-shaped lever system and adapted to turn the same about its pivoting point together with said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

19. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a supporting face combined of a curved supporting face portion and a iiat vertical supporting face portion, said supporting member mounted on said machine body so as to be adapted to support said corner portion of the suit-case; a pressure member having a pressure face combined of a curved pressure face portion and a flat vertical pressure face prtion, said .pressure member adapted to ycooperate with said supporting member and adapted to press simultaneously with said curved pressure face portion against said curved supporting face portion and said flat vertical pressure face portion against said flat vertical supporting face portion oi said supporting member so as to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by said supporting member; holding means holding said pressure member permanently with its curved pressure face portion parallel to said curved supporting face portion and its fiat vertical pressure face portion parallel to said dat vertical supporting face portion of said supporting member, said holding means being movably attached to said machine body in such a manner as to be adapted to be moved from inoperative position with said pressure member spaced from said supporting member in inclined direction toward this supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with its pressure face portions against the corresponding supporting face portions of said supporting member; and operating means adapted to move said holding means together with said pressure member in inclined direction from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

20. A machine for bending flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case or the like comprising in combination a machine body; a supporting member having a supporting face combined of a curved supporting face portion and a flat vertical supporting face portion; a holding member resiliently attaching said supporting member to said machine body; adjustable spring means combined with said holding member so as to resiliently hold the same together with said `supporting member in the required operative position; a pressure member having a pressure face combined of a curved pressure face portion and a flat vertical pressure face portion, said pressure member adapted to cooperate with said supporting member and adapted to press simultaneously with said curved pressure face portion against said curved pressure face portion and said flat vertical pressure face portion against said iiat vertical supporting face portion of said supporting member so aS to bend said flexible sheet material over the corner portion of a suit-case supported by said supporting member; a parallelogramshaped lever system; rst horizontal pivoting means pivotally attaching said pressure member to said parallelogram-shaped lever system at one end thereof with said flat vertical pressure face portion of said pressure member permanently in vertical position; second horizontal pivoting means pivotally attaching said parallelogrambeing substantially equal to the curvature shaped lever system at its other end to said machine body in such a manner that said parallelogram-shaped lever system is adapted to be turned from inoperative position with its curved pressure face portion spaced from said curved supporting face portion and flat vertical pressure face portion spaced from said flat vertical supporting face portion of said supporting member toward said supporting member until said pressure member is in operative position pressing with its curved pressure face portion against said curved supporting face portion and its flat vertical pressure face portion against said flat vertical supporting face portion of said supporting member; and operating means combine-d with said parallelogram-shaped lever system and adapted to turn the same about its pivoting point together with said pressure member from inoperative into operative position, whenever desired.

21. In a machine of the type claimed in claim l, said supporting member having an arcuate supporting face forming part of a cylindrical surface and a flat supporting face being normal to the axis of said cylindrical surface, and said pressure means being composed of an arcuate pressure member provided with an arcuate pressure face having the same curvature as said arcuate supporting face of said supporting member and adapted to cooperate with and press against the same and of a projecting flat pressure plate having a nat pressure face adapted to cooperate with and press against said iiat supporting face of said supporting member.

22. In a machine of the type claimed in claim 21, said pressure plate having a straight bending edge and an arcuate cut-out in said straight bending edge.

23. In a machine of the type claimed in claim 22, said arcuate cut-out in said straight bending edge of said pressure plate having a curvature of said arcuate pressure face of said arcuate pressure member and of said arcuate supporting face of said supporting member,

24. In a machine for bending iieXible sheet material of the type claimed in claim 1, said supporting member having a vertical flat supporting face and an arcuate supporting face forming part of a cylindrical surface having a horizontal axis, and said pressure means being composed of an arcuate pressure member having an arcuate pressure face forming part of a cylindrical surface having a horizontal axis and having the same curvature as said arcuate supporting face of said supporting member and adapted to cooperate with and press against the same and of a downwardly projecting` vertical flat pressure plate having a vertical flat pressure face adapted to cooperate with and press against said vertical flat supporting face of said supporting member.

25. In a machine of the type claimed in claim 24, said pressure plate having a horizontal bending edge and a substantially semi-circular cutout having -rounded corners in said horizontal straight bending edge.

26. In a machine ofthe type claimed in claim 25, said arcuate cut-out in said horizontal straight bending edge of said downwardly projecting vertical flat pressure plate having a curvature beingV substantially equal to the curvature of said arcuate pressure face of said arcuate pressure member and of said arcuate supporting face of said supporting member.

MAURICE M. BALSAM. HENRY M, BALSAM. 

